Food banks feeling the pinch from COVID-19

Quinte area food banks are feeling the pressure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gleaners Food Bank in Belleville expects demand for services to increase dramatically over the next few weeks and they are asking for monetary donations.
INTELLIGENCER FILE PHOTOBrad_Denoon / jpg, BI

COVID-19 is putting heavy pressure on Quinte area food banks as local residents get laid off from work or are in self isolation due to the pandemic.

Gleaners Food Bank in Belleville has already seen a spike in the number of people requiring the food bank’s services, but public relations and fundraising coordinator Sarah Kring says, “we expect things to get a lot worse, the next two weeks we expect a pretty big increase in demand.”

Kring said last week — in comparison to the same week in March 2019 — Gleaners saw a 20 per cent increase in clients in households, a 21 per cent increase in hampers, a 34 per cent increase in children and a 290 per cent increase in new households requiring support. During the same week last year, Gleaners handed out 149 hampers, including 66 singles, 44 small, 32 medium and seven large serving 292 individuals with 89 children, 30 seniors and 10 new households. Last week they gave out 180 hampers, 77 singles, 45 small, 39 medium, 19 large serving 374 individuals with 118 children, 29 seniors and registered 39 new households.

“It’s only going to get worse, so right now we’re asking for donations, but with people self isolating we’re just requesting monetary donations. They can call us (613-962-9043) and use their credit card, or they can do it online at www.gleanersfoodbank.ca, or e-mail volunteers@gleanersfoodbank.ca,” Kring said.

She said updates will be done regularly on the website as information becomes available and the situation evolves over the coming weeks.

Currently, Gleaners is low on crackers, school snacks and canned fruit.

“There hasn’t been a desperate need so far, but all of our rural food banks are running low on items at the Tri-County Warehouse. We have food banks located in Wellington, Picton, Stirling, Deseronto and Bancroft through the Quinte Regional Food Share Shelter.

“People are very confused right now, but there is no appointment needed to come see us. Of course, if you are feeling ill or have symptoms stay home. We’re open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon daily, but we have suspended our Wednesday evening service from 6:30-8:30 p.m. due to a lack of resources,” Kring said.

“We’re doing alright now, but the need will increase, we just have no idea by how much. We’re hoping things will improve over the next few weeks.”